Call for immediate passage of draft amendment to tobacco control law

Speakers have called for the immediate passage of the draft amendment to the Tobacco Control Law to protect public health and reduce tobacco-related deaths, along with the implementation of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

The demand was made on Wednesday (27 August) at a media briefing organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission titled 'Implementation of WHO FCTC and Urgent Passage of the Draft Amendment to the Tobacco Control Law', reads a press release.

The discussion was attended by National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) General Secretary MM Badsha, Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) General Secretary Abul Kashem, Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum President Rashed Rabbi, Dhaka Ahsania Mission Executive Committee Member Professor Dr Md Shahidul Alam, and Md Abu Masud.

The keynote presentation was delivered by public health expert and former WHO National Professional Officer Dr Syed Mahfuzul Haq. He highlighted six major provisions from the draft amendment prepared by the Ministry of Health in line with the WHO FCTC. These include:

Eliminating designated smoking areas in all public places and public transport to protect non-smokers, Prohibiting the display of tobacco products at points of sale to prevent promotion, Banning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of tobacco companies, Taking necessary measures to protect children, adolescents, and youth from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes, Prohibiting the retail sale of loose and single-stick tobacco products, Expanding pictorial health warnings on tobacco packaging from 50% to 90%, which will significantly contribute to public health protection and the achievement of the SDGs.

Speakers emphasized that interference by tobacco companies remains a major challenge in Bangladesh. Through misleading campaigns, lobbying, and influence, these companies attempt to weaken laws. Therefore, they urged the government not to hold any form of meeting with tobacco companies during the law amendment process.

They further stated that the proposed draft amendment prepared by the Ministry of Health would make the country's law stronger and aligned with the WHO FCTC if passed. Journalists were urged to use their writing to press the government for swift approval of the amendment.

Speakers also cautioned that any delay in passing the draft amendment would result in more tobacco-related deaths and losses. At the same time, they urged policymakers not to be misled by the false propaganda of tobacco companies and their vested allies.

The meeting was presided over by Dhaka Ahsania Mission Vice-President Dr Mohammad Khalilullah, while the welcome speech was delivered by Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission.